Summer 2011/Pasadena
Five-week Intensive: June 20-July 22
CO514
Nason

CO514: THEORY AND PRACTICE OF COMMUNICATION FOR MINISTRY. Doug Nason.


DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide students with an overview and understanding of communication theory and its applications. Topics for consideration include intrapersonal communication, interpersonal communication, media ecology, and public speaking. This course should assist students in developing multiple communication skills for effective ministry practice.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Good communication skills are essential for establishing, developing, and maintaining healthy personal and professional relationships. The workload in this course is designed to help seminarians enhance their communication abilities, while emphasizing the vital importance of the Holy Spirit's role in the communication process. Within the context of ministry, students' developing of good communication skills can enhance the furtherance of the gospel of Christ.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Course objectives are that students would grow

  1. in their understanding of the biblical basis for the communication process;

  2. in their understanding of communication theory and practice;

  3. in their understanding of oral communication in its various forms;

  4. in their understanding of the need to be interpersonally, intrapersonally, and nonverbally competent communicators;

  5. in their ability to deliver articulate spoken messages;

  6. in their ability to lead and interact with others in small groups.

COURSE FORMAT: The course, meeting in a five-week summer session two days a week for a four-hour class, will have both lecture and practicum components. Please note: there may be group sessions which will meet at a time other than the scheduled class hours.

REQUIRED READING:
Fujishin, Randy. Creating Communication. 2nd ed. Rowman and Littlefield, 2008. ISBN: 9780742555624. Pub.price: $32.95.

Hipps, Shane. The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture. Zondervan, 2005. ISBN: 9780310262749. Pub.price: $18.99.

Schultze, Quentin J. An Essential Guide to Public Speaking: Serving Your Audience with Faith, Skill, and Virtue. Baker Academic, 2006. ISBN: 9780801031519. Pub.price: $14.99.

Additional brief readings may be assigned primarily as a basis for class discussion.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: (1) Five oral presentations consisting of one Statement of Christian Experience (5 minutes, ungraded); one Speech to Inform (5 minutes - 10%); one Speech to Persuade with questions and answers (10 minutes - 10%); one Biblical Message (8 minutes - 10%); and one Workshop (small group) presentation (10%). (2) Self-assessments for the Speech to Inform, the Speech to Persuade, and the Biblical Message (30%) (3) One exam (10%). (4) an Independent Study Project (10%); and (5) Class participation and attendance (10%). Regular class attendance, preparation for class, and participation in discussions are required. Any absences must be excused and may require some additional work.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: This course meets the Communication requirement (COMM) in MA programs and also meets the four-unit requirement for CO500 and CO503 in any applicable pre-2007 MA program. This course will not meet the MIN2 requirement in the MDiv.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (April 2011)